April 12, 2024/Midnight
Erie Pa., — Most student-athletes, when choosing to sign up at a university, are just committing to one sport but for a certain few, they are taking the challenging step of committing to dual sports while working toward their degree.
It is important to take the time to commemorate these students and highlight their achievements. Gannon’s very own Claire Rogillio is one of these individuals. Rogillio has been a part of the Water Polo and Swim and Dive team since the fall of 2021.
She said her hero has been her aunt, who had also been a collegiate athlete at LSU. Her aunt was a student-athlete who was a part of a sorority, along with pursuing a major in civil engineering.
“She inspired me because as long as you have good time-management skills and allow time for yourself, you can do anything you put your mind to.”
Rogillio was prepared with plenty of research when she was looking to continue her academic and sports journeys. She was looking for a school that would allow her to pursue her chosen degree while also continuing with the sports she loved.
She talks about what it was like to join two different teams so far away from home, “For most people, it can be terrifying going to college especially when you’re halfway across the country, but the teams were very supportive of all the freshmen and transfers.”
Rogillio is hopeful for both teams stating that swimming has had a tough year due to major coaching changes in the middle of the season, but the team supports each other in and out of the pool.
“I am very excited to serve this team as the interim head coach as we start the next chapter of Gannon swimming and diving together.” (Katie Cowan – courtesy Gannon Sports)
The future looks promising for water polo. Under first-year head coach Zarko Sadikovic, they have had a six-game winning streak that they hope to continue when they enter the conference play in a couple of weeks. “It’s a surreal moment; it really is…I’m really looking forward to the future success of the program and getting the best out of both of my teams.”
Rogillio spoke about her teams and the genuine love from both.
“It has been amazing to be a part of both teams because they are like your second family especially when you are far from home. Both teams have great dynamics in and out of the pool because we support each other…at practice or in the classroom.”
Rogillio enjoyed being a part of both teams because it gave her the opportunity that most freshmen don’t have, she had a whole group that she already knew. She said the swim, dive, and water polo teams are close to each other, which has made it easy to spend time with both teams outside the pool.
Not only has Rogillio dominated in the pool but also in the academic world. Her goals for the rest of her time at Gannon include graduating with a bachelor’s in biomedical and mechanical engineering within four or five years. She plans to publish a research paper and maintain a high GPA. Rogillio was on the outstanding list for the 2023 Women’s All-Academic Teams with a GPA ranging from 3.71-4.00.
Gannon has provided her with a lot of hands-on research experience which will allow her to pursue her doctorate in biomedical engineering.
For her future with the swim team, she plans to work hard to be the best she can be for the next season. For water polo, she is optimistic to get more playing time by increasingly pushing herself in the pool.
Even when her time ends at Gannon, Rogillio would love to see her teams and her academic field excel.
“I hope the programs continue to grow and to improve year by year.”
She hopes to see the swim team place second at the conference and for water polo, she hopes they can win their conference. Rogillio believes that both programs are close to achieving those goals.
Rogillio has big plans to continue her swimming and water polo career by joining the master’s teams. She has loved both sports for their different reasons and hopes to continue her passion for the sports even when her collegiate career ends.
She has made the most difficult decision by deciding to continue not one but two sports while also completing her degree and has balanced it all since high school.
“The main thing is that you can’t procrastinate assignments because they will all pile up and cause even more stress, but you also need to make time for yourself each day.”
https://gannonsports.com/sports/womens-water-polo
https://gannonsports.com/sports/womens-swimming-and-diving
